Enhancing the Catalytic Activity of Y0.08Sr0.92TiO3−δ Anodes through in Situ Cu Exsolution for Direct Carbon Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In recent years, many researchers have been interested in studying direct carbon-solid oxide fuel cells (DC-SOFCs) because of their simple structure and the highly efficient method for converting the chemical energy contained in waste, biomass, and coal into electricity. Here, an excellent material consisting of yttrium-doped strontium titanate with in situ Cu exsolution is investigated as a DC-SOFC anode. The B-site deficiency formed by a Cu exsolution can increase the concentration of oxygen vacancies, which further improve the oxygen ion ionic conductivity of the materials. At the same time, the Cu nanoparticles exsolved on the surface of the anode can promote the catalytic activity of the electrochemical oxidation of carbon and CO fuels. Then, the cell using Y0.08Sr0.92Ti0.9Cu0.1 as the anode exhibits an excellent electrochemical performance at 800 °C, with a maximum power density of 366 mW cm–2. Therefore, Y0.08Sr0.92Ti0.9Cu0.1 is an excellent anode candidate for DC-SOFCs.